Hoi An vs Kuala Lumpur: cost of living for digital nomads
Hoi An, Vietnam and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Hoi An is about 24% cheaper than Kuala Lumpur for a month of nomad living ($990 vs $1,300).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $400 in Hoi An against $550 in Kuala Lumpur.
- Hoi An scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Both have a tropical climate.
Hoi An wins 6 of the measured lines; Kuala Lumpur wins 0.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Hoi An or Kuala Lumpur?
Hoi An is cheaper: about $990/month against $1,300/month in Kuala Lumpur, roughly 24% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Hoi An or Kuala Lumpur?
Hoi An scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for Kuala Lumpur.
Which has faster internet, Hoi An or Kuala Lumpur?
Hoi An and Kuala Lumpur have about the same typical internet speed, 100 Mbps.
| Line | Hoi An | Kuala Lumpur |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $990 | $1,300 |
| Rent | $400 | $550 |
| Food | $280 | $350 |
| Transport | $40 | $60 |
| Coworking | $80 | $120 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 100 | 100 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | small | metro |
| Setting | coast | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Hoi An September 10, 2026, Kuala Lumpur November 5, 2026.